Bocce, or Bocce Ball, is a game that has been played all over the world for centuries. It is playable by all ages and fitness levels, making it a popular game at family gatherings. Bocce refers to both the game and the balls used in the game. The word "bocce" means "balls" in Italian.
Step 1
Mark your Bocce court. The official court size, according to the United States Bocce Federation, is 86.92 feet long and 13.12 feet wide. However, court size will vary in casual play. At a minimum, you will want to mark the end, or "wall," of the court, the minimum toss line and the starting/foul line, from which balls must be tossed.
Step 2
Flip a coin to determine which team starts first. Teams can be made up of singles, doubles or quadruples. Each team has four Bocce balls, divided evenly between team members for tossing.
Step 3
Place the small ball, called the jack or the pallino, into play. The team that won the coin flip throws the small ball from the starting line. To be a valid throw, the jack must land between the court wall and the minimum toss line and be at least 1 foot away from either line or any obstacles on the court.
Step 4
Alternate bocce throws between teams, starting with the team that placed the jack in play. Once all bocces have been thrown, the frame is complete.
Step 5
Award points to the winning team. The winning team is the team that has one of its bocces closest to the jack. Award one point for each ball closer to the jack than the opposing team's closest ball. Only one team may earn points per frame.
Step 6
Repeat Steps 4 and Step 5 until one team reaches 12 points. The team that wins a frame is the team that starts the next frame for the game.
Tips and Warnings
- There are many variations of Bocce. Discuss rules and methods of play with all players prior to starting the game to ensure everyone understands the rules governing your particular game. Home court rules generally apply when there is a conflict.
Things You'll Need
- 8 1-1/2- to 2-lb. balls, evenly divided in two or more colors
- 1 small ball, preferably white
- Tape measure
- Masking tape, or other method of marking a line
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